Guwahati: Air connectivity has made a grand comeback to Meghalaya’s picturesque yet challenging hill regions, as the state transport corporation officially launched helicopter operations on June 2. This new initiative promises to significantly ease travel between Guwahati, Shillong, and Tura, offering regular passenger flights and a much-needed alternative to arduous road journeys.
The Meghalaya Transport Corporation (MTC) confirmed that the much-anticipated helicopter services are now operational, marking the end of a suspension that had left the aerial transport void. This strategic move directly addresses the critical transportation hurdles faced in the northeastern state’s mountainous terrain, where road travel between key centres can often stretch into several painstaking hours.
According to the Managing Director of MTC, the service will be a boon for commuters, operating six days a week. Flights are affordably priced at Rs 2,200 per passenger, inclusive of taxes, for single-sector journeys connecting any two cities. For those undertaking the complete Shillong-Tura route via Guwahati, the fare stands at Rs 3,000, making it a viable option for many.
The helicopter schedule has been meticulously planned to cater to diverse travel needs throughout the week. On Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays, flights will commence with morning departures from Guwahati to Shillong at 8:30 am, seamlessly connecting onwards to Tura. Return flights are slated to operate throughout the day, with the final Shillong-Guwahati service taking off at 12:40 pm. Meanwhile, Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday operations will primarily focus on the bustling Guwahati-Shillong route, offering two daily round trips to serve both morning and afternoon passengers.
This reintroduction of helicopter services is poised to fill a significant void in the regional transportation infrastructure. A road journey between Guwahati and Shillong, notorious for its winding mountain roads, typically consumes three to four hours. The helicopter service, however, promises to drastically cut this travel time down to an approximate 40 minutes, a game-changer for business travellers and tourists alike.
Aviation experts have lauded the move, highlighting the particular value of helicopter services in Meghalaya’s demanding geography, especially given that monsoon rains frequently disrupt surface transport. The mountainous state has, for long, grappled with connectivity issues that have had a noticeable impact on commerce, tourism, and even emergency medical transport, issues this service aims to alleviate.
While the transport corporation has yet to disclose specific details regarding passenger capacity per flight or the aircraft specifications, industry sources suggest that the service is likely to employ medium-capacity helicopters. Such aircraft are well-suited for commercial passenger operations in the region’s unique weather conditions, ensuring safety and efficiency.
The resumption of these aerial services comes at a time when northeastern states are increasingly prioritizing improved connectivity to spur economic development and tourism. Meghalaya’s new helicopter service now joins a growing list of similar aerial transport initiatives across India’s remote regions, where conventional airport infrastructure remains a limiting factor, further underscoring the nation’s commitment to enhancing regional access.
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